Systems and methods for data and model-driven image reconstruction and enhancement

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for image reconstruction and enhancement, using a computer system. One method includes acquiring a plurality of images associated with a target anatomy; determining, using a processor, one or more associations between subdivisions of localized anatomy of the target anatomy identified from the plurality of images, and local image regions identified from the plurality of images; performing an initial image reconstruction based on image acquisition information of the target anatomy; and updating the initial image reconstruction or generating a new image reconstruction based on the image acquisition information and the one or more determined associations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method of medical image reconstruction, the method comprising:
 receiving a localized model of a vessel associated with a plurality of images; 
 identifying one or more regions within each of the plurality of images; 
 determining one or more associations between each of the one or more regions and one or more points of the localized model; and 
 creating a reconstruction or enhancement of an image of the vessel based on the one or more determined associations. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more points are centerline points. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the one or more regions is based on acquisition of the plurality of images, the localized model, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing the one or more determined associations as a set of vessel models and associated regions; and 
 determining one or more image priors based on the set of vessel models and associated regions. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 receiving an image; 
 localizing vessel centerlines within the image; 
 determining centerline points of the set of vessel models and associated regions that are respective to points on the localized vessel centerlines within the image; and 
 determining one or more matched points based on the centerline points of the set that are respective to the points on the localized vessel centerlines within the image. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 determining one or more local image priors for the one or more matched points. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , the step of determining one or more local image priors further comprising:
 merging image regions associated with the one or more matched points. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 performing an initial reconstruction, wherein the image reconstruction is an update of the initial reconstruction. 
 
     
     
       9. A system for image reconstruction, the system comprising:
 a data storage device storing instructions for medical image reconstruction; and 
 a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method including: 
 receiving a localized model of a vessel associated with a plurality of images; 
 identifying one or more regions within each of the plurality of images; 
 determining one or more associations between each of the one or more regions and one or more points of the localized model; and 
 creating a reconstruction or enhancement of an image of the vessel based on the one or more determined associations. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more points are centerline points. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the size of the one or more regions is based on acquisition of the plurality of images, the localized model, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the system is further configured for:
 storing the one or more determined associations as a set of vessel models and associated regions; and 
 determining one or more image priors based on the set of vessel models and associated regions. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein the system is further configured for:
 receiving an image; 
 localizing vessel centerlines within the image; 
 determining centerline points of the set of vessel models and associated regions that are respective to points on the localized vessel centerlines within the image; and 
 determining one or more matched points based on the centerline points of the set that are respective to the points on the localized vessel centerlines within the image. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the system is further configured for:
 determining one or more local image priors for the one or more matched points. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein, for the step of determining one or more local image priors, the system is further configured for:
 merging image regions associated with the one or more matched points. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the system is further configured for:
 performing an initial reconstruction, wherein the image reconstruction is an update of the initial reconstruction. 
 
     
     
       17. A non-transitory computer readable medium for use on a computer system containing computer-executable programming instructions for performing a method of medical image reconstruction, the method comprising:
 receiving a localized model of a vessel associated with a plurality of images; 
 identifying one or more regions within each of the plurality of images; 
 determining one or more associations between each of the one or more regions and one or more points of the localized model; and 
 creating a reconstruction or enhancement of an image of the vessel based on the one or more determined associations. 
 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more points are centerline points. 
     
     
       19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 18 , the method further comprising:
 storing the one or more determined associations as a set of vessel models and associated regions; and 
 determining one or more image priors based on the set of vessel models and associated regions. 
 
     
     
       20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the size of the one or more regions is based on acquisition of the plurality of images, the localized model, or a combination thereof.